Cannabis Clone Care 101: The Basics
If you are thinking about growing at home, try these industry clone care tips to ensure that your clone grows into a healthy and beautiful flower.
Choose clones with strong root systems.
How to Care for Cannabis Clones
It is important to choose what medium you will use for your plant. Top growers suggest that you first transplant your clone into a 1-gallon pot.
Some people like to use amendments, including organic or synthetic fertilizer, oyster shell meal, and various substances to improve soil structure. This helps keep the soil rich with the proper nutrients needed for plants to grow healthy and strong throughout their growing cycle.
Transplanting Your Cannabis Clones
Fill to 1 inch from the lip of the pot and gently tamp soil by pressing it down with your hand to prevent air pockets developing in the pot. Leave 1.5 to 2 inches of space between the lip of the pot and the mediam to prevent any overflow while watering.
After a couple weeks, your root ball should be developed, allowing you to transplant her into a large vessel. The right time to transplant your cannabis clones is when they have an established, sturdy root system in place.
The plant is ready to focus its energy on vegetative growth now, so it needs to be moved to a larger container.
It’s time to transplant to a larger pot or growing space.
Transplanting Cannabis Clones into a Larger Pot/Grow Space
First, dig a small hole in the medium about the size of the 1-gallon pot. Place the clone in the hole.
If using a cloning media such as rockwool, the top of the cube should be level with the soil and pot. If the rockwool cube is exposed too much, it will dry out easily. If the media level is above the cube, it may come into contact with the stem. This can cause fungal disease.
The stem of the clone should be as vertical as possible. Sometimes this means that the rockwool cube will need to be planted crooked. We find that having a vertical stem leads to superior growing results.
Next, fill in the media around the clone’s cube. Be sure that the bottom and sides of the cube are in good contact with the media. The cube should be planted so that just the very top of the cube is exposed. If the cube becomes exposed through watering, gently pack some soil back around it.
After several weeks, the clone will be well-rooted. Thoroughly water your clone to ensure that there are no air pockets or dry spots in your media, so that the cube comes into good contact with the water.
Ease into direct sunlight after transplanting.
Easing Cannabis Clones into Direct Sunlight
You need to introduce your clones to sunlight (after transplant) in a gradual, slow manner. Cannabis clones are extremely delicate and fragile at this phase of their growing cycle. Any drastic or sudden shift or change in their growing environment can harmfully impact their growth and health overall.
Starting with partial shade and indirect sunlight will be beneficial for the first few days. The partial sun will get them invigorated to grow, while the shade will ensure the heat is not so strong that they are overwhelmed and go into shock.
As your cannabis clones show signs of healthy, vigorous growth in this partial shade, gradually give them more intense light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Cannabis Clones
How long should clone roots be before transplant?
Many growers may aim for their roots to be different lengths before transplanting. It’s important to note that doing this too early may cause the chance of transplant shock, yet too much later can cause risk of disease or wilting. For transplanting cannabis clones, the roots should be about 3 inches (7.6 cm) or longer.
What is the best temperature to grow clones?
When it comes to growing your cannabis clones, the average temperature of the growing environment should be between 68-77°F (20–25°C) with high humidity. This allows the cannabis clone to develop roots and increase growing strengths under these environmental conditions.
Do cannabis clones in organic soil need fertilizer?
While there is more than one way to grow your clones, using organic soil for your cannabis is an optimal way of ensuring your plants are receiving all the nutrients needed to grow healthy and high yields. Depending on the type of medium or soil used, fertilizer helps to provide rich nutrients that are essential in the early growing stage.
How is a cannabis seedling different from a clone?
A seedling is a cannabis plant that has started its growth cycle from a seed. They will have a taproot and progress in length and strength throughout the growing cycle. A clone is a cutting that is made directly from another plant, then properly nurtured to grow its own roots and plant cycle.
Clones are often a favored method of beginning cannabis cultivation for those who are seeking identical and specific flavor profiles or strains, cannabinoid content, effects, or a certain type of plant gene lineage.
Do I need a rooting gel for my cannabis clone?
Cutting a cannabis clone is possible without the use of rooting gel or hormone. Simply make the cut at the 45-degree angle and remove any leaves or stems from the bottom part of the clipping. Stick about one-third of the clone cutting straight into a moist pot containing the growing medium of your choice.
Follow instructions as normal for watering, lighting, and proper care for cannabis clones.
How often should I water my cannabis clones?
At the initial start of your clone cuttings, watering should be scarce and limited. You should only water your cannabis clones every two to three days. This allows the medium you’re using to slowly dry out and encourages oxygen to be drawn into it. In turn, aids in root development and growth for your clones. As your clones grow, the watering patterns may change.